Thoughts on Leadership, Life and Fun stuff

Archive for February, 2009

It’s a Recession. It’s a compression. It’s a depression. Whatever it is, it’s bad and particularly so to non profits. Right? Recently, however, I experienced something that cannot be explained easily if you’re listening to the news and getting your worldview from the media. Tuesday morning I attended the “We Build People” kickoff breakfast for the YMCA of Middle TN. I hosted a table of 8 and invited some of my Y buddies whom I see most every morning in spin class, Yoga class, swimming pool, running group or workout floor (Ok, I get around). During the breakfast, we heard first-person accounts from cancer survivors finding support group in the ABC (After Breast Cancer) program , from a woman whose entire family livelihood had been wiped out by a debilitating disease finding a welcoming place at the Y through the Open Doors program that makes the Y network free for…

I remember hauling a 15 lb projector around the country that took most of the space on my carry on bag. Recently, Microvision unveiled a mobile projector. Yes, this thing is the size of a cell phone. All I can say is wow. Now I need to figure out a way to justify the cost. After all, I’m in the communication business and this is a communication tool, right? http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3340611&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1 Would buy one of these?

Great communication always involves passion for the subject. Oceanographer Sylvia Earle presented at this year’s TED conference. Her 18-minute presentation is one of the best I’ve ever experienced. She used video along along with her written speech in a seamless and effortless talk that had me mesmerized, even as I watched it through video. Her smile was contagious, her warnings were sobering and yet she offered hope along with her challenge. This is her presentation. If you’re like me, you’ll want to see the whole thing. It’s remarkable. centerhttp://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf How are you using media in your presentations?

It’s easy for me to see what needs to be fixed in the churches I visit. I hate to admit it, but I’m a critic. I’d like to think that I’m a nice one, but I’m a critic nonetheless. After all, people don’t pay me to pat them on the back and tell them good job. Church leaders want to know what’s not working well and what can be done to be more effective for the kingdom. However, my favorite part of any secret shopper visit is to celebrate what’s done well. And nothing makes my heart happier than when I run into volunteers who love God and serve their church with a smile and open arms. This past weekend I was able to reconnect with two of the best volunteers I’ve ever encountered in all my secret shopper visits. Linda and her husband Harrod have been greeting at First…